Gavin's Birthday, Baby Shower, and Painting

Gavin's Birthday
I know I just wrote a huge post yesterday, but I felt the need to post again... this is my journal after all! Many of you remember that last August my nephew, Gavin had gone home to see Heavenly Father and Jesus. It's hard to believe, but almost a year has passed since that time. Yesterday we celebrated his birthday. He would be two this year. I was nervous about how the day would go for the Mcavoy family members that live in Utah, in particular, Michelle and Jaron (his mom and dad), and Jessica. I guess I was nervous because it would be a day where you would have to come face to face with the reality that Gavin has gone home. But, on Michelle's blog, she made the comment that she thinks perhaps Heavenly Father had sent an extra fleet of angels to be in attendance that day, because it turned out to be a good day, a day to celebrate the life of her son. You can go to her blog (Jaron and Michelle on my list) to read the details of all of the days events, I'll just give you a quick run down of how we celebrated the day in Arizona.

A few weeks ago, I took Joshua to the dollar store to buy something to go on Gavin's headstone. He loved dogs, so Joshua picked out a little doggy to send up. Michelle had communicated to us that she wanted us to get a gift for Joshua to be from Gavin for Joshua to open. So, we also got him a ball (which you see in the pictures). Joshua was more entranced by Jon Mark blowing up the ball than he was with the actual ball itself, and spent a great deal of time trying to blow it up himself. That's what the video shows. My little guy is all about knowing how stuff works. Then, we ate cookies (we should have made green rice crispy treats because that's what Gavin ate at his one year old birthday party, but I failed to get the ingredients to do so... next year I'll do better). After that we called our siblings in Utah just to let them know we were celebrating and thinking of Gavin. Michelle wants the day to be a fun day for Gavin's cousins so that they look forward to his birthday each year. I think it's a great way to remember and celebrate his life.

I can't imagine hurt that must be felt by those who have lost children. But, I am sure that Gavin was smiling down on us yesterday. I think his mom felt his spirit near, and I believe he was happy as he watched his cousins open their gifts. Gavin gave us a lot of gifts over the short span of his earthly life. He gave the gift of love and acceptance. He also taught us in his own way how to experience all of the best things in life--he was always on the go. Maybe it was because he knew that his life would be short and he wanted to experience as much of this earthly life as he could, or maybe it was because he knew that it would be special to his loved ones after he was called home, but Gavin seemed to pick things up easily. He walked early, got teeth early, talked early etc. All of those "things" have created some timeless memories that we hold dear to us. What a great day to reflect and remember Gavin!




Baby Shower
Just to let everyone know, my mom is throwing me a baby shower on May 30th from 10:30-12:00 at her house (1010 E. Devon Dr. Gilbert, AZ 85296). You're all invited to attend, if you want to!

Painting
I know it's been awhile, and you all have been sitting with hopeful anticipation for the revealing of my latest painting. Well, here it is. Jon Mark thinks it looks very Asian, I think it looks like it belongs somewhere in the Jurassic Era, but I kind of like it. I don't think I'll be displaying it anywhere in my house, but it's got a certain kind of uniqueness to it, don't you think? I love this new hobby. It's been a lot of fun trying out my creativity in a way that doesn't make me feel discouraged.